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RE: Excuse Me, Do These Emotions Belong to You?
We work with the homeless and indigent a lot, and sometimes, you just have to lock it down, and get the actual work done! It is rewarding to be able to just talk, and help if possible; but sometimes it is easy to see that todays disaster is geared for sympathy, and not towards telling where that person actually is, nor what can improve that condition!
It takes time to understand, that it is NOT possible to fix everything, and some problems are there because of choices made by the person involved (whether that person understands it, or not). If you can accept that, and help where it will actually help; the rewards are great, and the emotional load is small.
If you can Not separate the two, don't even start, it will eat your soul!
:'(
I am sure sometimes people do just want sympathy and an ear. So much of the world sees them as less than human. I always assume I have no idea what it's like in their shoes. So much is choice, and then so much is the way the system inherently puts so many at such a disadvantage. We have to work both ends, and in both cases there are things we can't change, and that is very frustrating, but we just keep piddling away believing some day a change is gonna come c;
Well, I have been feeding a Man that has been homeless (by Choice for 28 years) for the last three years, and he just started talking to me, two months ago! He is very Cajun, and hard to understand, but I am Thrilled he is talking to me! I may be able to help him some now, I got him to come when we pass out clothing and stuff the last time. Progress is slow, but it is progress.
We had another woman, that did Not want to wait for food, while we set up, so she stripped off everything, and ran all over the parking lot. Opposite extremes, drama queen. The cops decided that she needed to come with them, so we Never did get to feed her, LOL!
We had a homeless Man, that found another one, the last time we fed, that was getting ready to jump in the River, off a bridge. He stopped and talked to him. The guy was broke and starving, and had given up. He brought him along, and we fed him Good! Sometimes you win one! We keep a few jobs, that local companies that know what we do; make available. We set him up with clothes, and work, and some fill in food. He is doing well now, according to his new boss.
That's so beautiful. Is the first man not mentally well, or did he just not want to talk? I had an uncle who was schizophrenic, and I always wonder what would have happened if it hadn't been for the VA. Lord knows my grandparents could never have afforded anything private.
I guess at least the naked woman got fed in jail. It's so wonderful that you are so committed to doing what you can and loving people where they're at. That's a really special thing.
It just took him over two years for him to move me to the 'real' catagory. He is a cautious individual, LOL!
The "lady" would gave arrived in time for dinner, we served lunch...she has been back since. :)
I imagine being cautious probably serves you on the streets. I say the lady gets 2 points for creativity and keeping things interesting!
Caution is wise for sure! I am sure we have been Taken, a number of times; but we figured on that, and allow it, so we can reach the rest.
She didn't get two points; she actually got 30 days, LOL! Feeding them is NEVER boring.
:D :DI had a wonderful friend here many years ago who was a pastor in a small village. He was from Sri Lanka. He always let the kids come hang out in his house, and he was forever getting shit stolen, but he said he wanted them to remember someone cared about them no matter what. He was an angel. It's good you keep giving.
30 days is a lot for running nekkid! Or perhaps she's a repeat offender?
I suspect she was a substance abuser too.
:'(*